- Date
- May 18, 1997, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place
- Galion, OH
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N4430RCessna 172M
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 21, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19970518015889A
- Case key
- 39361
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The inadvertent encounter with the helicopter main rotor downwash during the initial takeoff climb. Subsequently, the airplane descended and impacted the ground.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
While a helicopter was approaching the south side of runway 23 from the east, the airplane pilot was conducting a takeoff from runway 23. During the initial takeoff climb, about 50 above ground level, the airplane encountered main rotor downwash from the helicopter. The airplane then descended and impacted the ground. The airplane pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The airplane pilot further reported that after the accident, the helicopter landing site was relocated to an area further away from the active runway.
Factual narrative
On May 18, 1997, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N4430R, was substantially damaged when it encountered wake turbulence during the initial takeoff climb at the Galion Municipal Airport, Galion, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
In a written statement submitted by the pilot, he stated the following:
"I was preparing for departure on runway 23. The...helicopter was approaching for landing on the grass near the hangars. I completed the engine run-up and started my take off run. After lift off and about fifty feet altitude, I encountered severe turbulence from the helicopter rotor which tipped the [airplane] almost vertical to the right. I was able to get the [airplane] leveled before it made hard contact with the runway. The nose wheel strut collapsed letting the propeller strike the ground. We came to a stop on the grass between the runway and the taxiway. After our encounter with the turbulence, they moved the helicopter landing site much farther from the active runway."
The pilot reported that the helicopter was approaching from the east to the south side of runway 23.
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4430R
- Reported as
- Cessna 172M
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17263175
- Airframe hours
- 1,756
- Engine
- Lycoming IO-320-E2D, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Richard R. Grove
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · December 18, 1996 · 26 hours before
- Departed
- GQQ
- Airport
- GQQ · Galion Municipal Airport, runway 23, 3,504 × 75 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 78
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,556 total · 1,293 in this make and model · 18 in the last 90 days · 6 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Variable at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MFD, 10 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.